System for sensing vehicle motion and environmental conditions

ABSTRACT

A system and method for deterring theft of a marine vehicles is provided. The system is designed to collect barometric pressure data and analyze it to determine whether there has been a sudden change in elevation that may be indicative of a theft. The system is also designed to collect environmental data pertaining to a marine vehicle&#39;s normal environment and compare it to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle in order to detect changes that may be indicative of a theft. Additionally, the system is designed to monitor equipment of the marine vehicle and alert a user if the equipment has been moved in a way that may be indicative of a theft. When the system determines an event has occurred that may be indicative of a theft, the system may alert the user by triggering an alarm via a computer readable signal.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/539,083 filed Aug. 13, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/035,679 filed Jul. 15, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/532,994, filed Jul. 15, 2017, in which all applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a security system for marine vehicles.

BACKGROUND

The average marine vehicle theft payout is one of the highest of all forms of insurance payouts. This is due to how few marine vehicles are recovered after having been stolen, resulting in a complete loss. As a consequence, insurance premiums are higher for marine vehicles than they could be if more marine vehicles were recovered. Alternatively, premiums may be even lower if the number of marine vehicles theft attempts were to drastically drop. However, current technology used to prevent marine vehicle theft is somewhat lacking. The simplest theft deterrent systems used for preventing marine vehicle theft include trailer locks, propeller locks, and wheel boots. These methods may prevent thieves stealing a marine vehicle temporarily, but they do not alert the owner or anyone nearby of the attempted theft. Additionally, potential marine vehicle thieves are only temporarily deterred instead of outright dissuaded from attempting to steal a marine vehicle fitted with such devices. This allows a thief to return better prepared at a later date to steal the marine vehicle without raising suspicion from the first attempt.

More advanced theft deterrent systems may use sensors to detect motion, noise, vibrations, rocking, acceleration, and geolocation. Motion sensors, noise sensors, and vibration sensors monitor changes in the marine vehicle's environment, but these sensors are not always desirable for marine vehicles stored in water since the natural motion of a boat in water may trigger an alarm. These more modern theft deterrent systems use accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine when a marine vehicle is in motion, but these systems only alert a user when the marine vehicle is moving from one location to another. Global positioning systems are also used to determine the location of a marine vehicle, but like the accelerometer and gyroscope only alert the user of a theft when the marine vehicle is already moving from one place to another. Additionally, current technology that uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to prevent the theft of boats may not always determine exactly when a theft is in progress. For instance, a marine vehicle located in a boat lift may have already been lowered to the water before an alarm is triggered if the thief lowers the boat at a rate slow enough that it may not register as anything more than noise by the accelerometer. Thus, the more modern theft deterrent systems are not as optimal at preventing boat theft as much as they are at recovering stolen marine vehicles.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and method for monitoring the motion and environment of a marine vehicle to sense sudden changes that may indicate a theft before the marine vehicle is being moved from one geolocation to another.

DESCRIPTION

A theft deterrent system for marine vehicles is provided. In one aspect, the tool is a system and method for securing marine vehicles by triggering a computer-readable signal when there is a change in the barometric pressure that may indicate a potential theft. In another aspect, the tool is a system for determining the normal environment of a marine vehicle and monitoring that normal environment for changes. Generally, the system and method of the present disclosure are designed to alert a user of a changed environmental state to prevent the theft of a marine vehicle. In the event of an attempted theft, the system and method of the present discloser are designed to alert a user via an alarm.

The system of the present disclosure may comprise at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, at least one gyroscope, a processor operably connected to the at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope, a communication device operably connected to the processor, a power supply, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions instruct the processor to perform specified tasks. The at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope may be operably connected to the processor in a way such that the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data may be transmitted from the at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope to the processor. The system may use this data to calculate the normal environmental state, current environmental state, and changed environmental state.

The at least one barometer may be secured on a marine vehicle in a way such that it may measure the air pressure experienced by a marine vehicle. In an embodiment, the air pressure may be detected in the form of barometric pressure. As the marine vehicle changes elevation, the barometric pressure experienced by a marine vehicle changes. In an embodiment, the pressure changes detected by the at least one barometer may be converted into elevation changes by the processor. The at least one accelerometer may be secured on a marine vehicle in a way such that it may measure the translational motion experienced by the marine vehicle. In an embodiment, the translational motions may be detected in the form of acceleration. The direction in which acceleration is detected is dependent on the type of accelerometer and the orientation of the at least one accelerometer. The at least one gyroscope may be secured on a marine vehicle in a way such that it may measure the rotational motions experienced by a marine vehicle. In an embodiment, the rotational motions may be detected in the form of angular velocity. The axis about which angular velocity is detected is dependent on the type of gyroscope and the orientation of the at least one gyroscope.

Once barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data have been measured and transmitted to the processor, the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data may be combined to determine a normal state of motion for the marine vehicle. A normal state of motion may be defined as the motion that a marine vehicle normally experiences in its environment. In a preferred embodiment, the normal state of motion may comprise of a range of motion in which a marine vehicle normally experiences in its environment. The processor may also calculate a current state of motion as barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data are received from the at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope. A current state of motion may be defined as the state of motion the marine vehicle is experiencing in real time. The normal state of motion and current state of motion may comprise acceleration data and angular velocity data in a single direction as well as acceleration data and angular velocity data in multiple directions. The normal state of motion and current state of motion may comprise barometric pressure data in the form of an elevation change. The normal state of motion and current state of motion may comprise fewer barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity data points than may be measured by the at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope.

Once the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data are combined to create a current state of motion, the processor may determine whether there has been a changed state of motion by comparing the current state of motion to the normal state of motion. A changed state of motion may be defined as any deviation from the normal state of the motion of the system that may indicate that the marine vehicle is being stolen or has been boarded without permission. In an embodiment, a sudden deviation from the normal state of motion may cause the system to determine that a changed state of motion has occurred. The system may determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred continuously or intermittently. When the processor determines that a changed state of motion has occurred, the processor may transmit a computer-readable signal. A computer-readable signal may be any signal that may cause an action in response to a changed state of motion. In this way, the system may prevent an unwanted entry or theft of a marine vehicle when a user is not present.

In another embodiment, at least one sensor may be secured on a marine vehicle in a way such that it may measure environmental conditions of the marine vehicle and transmit environmental data to the processor to determine a normal environmental state. An environmental condition may be defined as external conditions experienced by a marine vehicle. Types of sensors that may be used as an at least one sensor include, but are not limited to, a microphone, turbidity sensor, thermometer, humidity sensor, passive infrared sensor, light sensor, lightning sensor, vibration sensor, ultrasonic sensor, electronics sensor, engine monitor, microwave sensor, radar, wind transducer, compass, depth transducer, speed transducer, area reflective sensor, global positioning system, at least one barometer, at least one gyroscope, at least one accelerometer, and camera, or any combination thereof. Therefore, the at least one sensor may detect a variety of environmental conditions and transmit environmental data regarding these environmental conditions to the processor. Once environmental data has been transmitted to the processor, the environmental data may be combined to determine a normal environmental state for the marine vehicle.

A normal environmental state may be defined as the environmental conditions that a marine vehicle normally experiences in its environment. In a preferred embodiment, the normal environmental state may comprise of a range of environmental conditions in which a marine vehicle normally experiences in its environment. The processor may also calculate a current environmental state as environmental data is received from the at least one sensor. A current environmental state may be defined as the environmental conditions the marine vehicle is experiencing in real time. The data contained within a normal environmental state and current environmental state may be as varied as the at least one sensors operably connected to the processor. Once the environmental data is combined to create a current environmental state, the processor may determine whether there has been a changed environmental state by comparing the current environmental state to the normal environmental state. A changed environmental state may be defined as any deviation from the normal environmental state of the system that may indicate that the marine vehicle is being stolen or has been boarded without permission. In an embodiment, a sudden deviation from the normal environmental state may cause the system to determine that a changed environmental state has occurred. When the processor determines that a changed environmental state has occurred, the processor may transmit a computer-readable signal to trigger an alarm.

A method triggering a computer-readable signal is also disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a user may select a normal state of motion and normal environmental state for the system. The processor may then check to determine if the system is activated. If the processor determines that the system is activated, the processor may check for the presence of a user. If the processor determines that the user is not present, the processor may receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data from the at least one barometer, at least one accelerometer, and at least one gyroscope, respectively. The processor may then combine the acceleration data and angular velocity data to create a current state of motion. Once a current state of motion has been created, the processor may determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred by comparing the current state of motion the normal state of motion of the system. If the processor determines that a changed state of motion has occurred, the processor may transmit a computer-readable signal to alert the user. If the processor determines that a changed state of motion has not occurred, the system may continuously perform a check until the system is deactivated, a user is present, or an alarm is trigger by some other means.

The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the system and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system and method of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an example of a marine vehicle having a system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example of a current state of motion embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an example of a normal state of motion embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a changed environmental state consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a changed state of motion consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining when to transmit a computer-readable signal to trigger an alarm consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a normal environmental state consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components. The term “object database” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean a NoSQL database. The term “barometer” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean a barometric pressure sensor.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). Where reference is made to a change in a marine vehicle's environment, the change may be positive or negative. For instance, a decrease in elevation may be referred to as a negative elevation change whereas an increase in elevation may be referred to as a positive elevation change.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 of the present disclosure may comprise at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, at least one gyroscope 126, a processor 116 operably connected to the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126, a communication device 121 operably connected to the processor 116, a power supply 130, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 coupled to the processor 116 and having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions instruct the processor 116 to perform specified tasks.

As a marine vehicle 205 experiences various forces throughout the day while equipped with the system 100, the system 100 may measure the forces experienced by the marine vehicle 205. In an embodiment, the system 100 may measure these forces in the form of barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity. The system 100 may utilize the barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity experienced by the marine vehicle 205 in its environment 200 as input to be analyzed to determine whether there has been an abnormal change in the environment 200 in which the marine vehicle 205 is located. An environment 200 may be, but is not limited to a boat slip, boat lift, dry storage, and trailer. Because the system 100 may use multiple barometers, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, the at least one accelerometer 127 and at least one gyroscope 126 may be configured to detect forces experienced by the marine vehicle 205 within the region of the marine vehicle 205 to which the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 corresponds. If the processor 116 determines there has been abnormal change in the environment 200 in which the marine vehicle 205 is located, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal to trigger an alarm.

The at least one barometer 128 may be secured on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure the air pressure experienced by a marine vehicle 205. In an embodiment, the air pressure may be detected in the form of barometric pressure. As the marine vehicle 205 changes elevation 316, the barometric pressure experienced by a marine vehicle 205 changes. In an embodiment, the pressure changes detected by the at least one barometer 128 may be converted into elevation changes by the processor 116. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 exactly at sea level may experience an air pressure of 101325 Pascal (Pa). When that marine vehicle 205 reaches the crest of a wave fifteen feet above sea level, the marine vehicle 205 may experience an air pressure of 101271 Pa. By taking the difference between the barometric pressure at sea level and the barometric pressure at the crest of the wave, the system 100 may determine the distance the wave measures above sea level, which may allow the system 100 to determine the type of environment 200 the marine vehicle 205 is located. Because the system 100 uses very small changes in the barometric pressure experienced by the marine vehicle 205 to determine elevation changes, the at least one barometer 128 of a preferred embodiment is an aneroid barometer. Additionally, because the environmental conditions experienced by a marine vehicle 205 may be rough, the more durable and portable aneroid barometer may be preferable. However, there may be embodiments that use a mercury barometer or other type of barometer.

The at least one accelerometer 127 may be secured on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure the translational motion experienced by the marine vehicle 205. In an embodiment, the translational motions may be detected in the form of acceleration. The direction in which acceleration is detected is dependent on the type of accelerometer and the orientation of the at least one accelerometer 127. In an embodiment, the at least one accelerometer 127 may be positioned on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure surge 210, sway 220, or heave 230. For instance, a one-dimensional accelerometer may be set about an axis of the marine vehicle 205 to determine the amount of surge 210 the marine vehicle 205 experiences. Surge 210 may be defined as the force imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205 from bow to stern (front to back). Sway 220 may be defined as the force imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205 from port to starboard (side to side). Heave 230 may be defined as the vertical force (up and down) imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205. Surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230 may be positive or negative. For instance, a positive surge 210 may be defined as surge 210 experienced by a marine vehicle 205 from bow to stern whereas negative surge 210 may be defined as surge 210 experienced by a marine vehicle 205 from stern to bow.

In an embodiment, the at least one accelerometer 127 may detect acceleration in three directions so that the amount of surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230 a marine vehicle 205 experiences may be recorded. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, a single at least one accelerometer 127 may be secured to the center of the marine vehicle 205 to measure the acceleration experienced by a central location within the marine vehicle 205. Alternatively, multiple at least one accelerometers 127 may be secured to different regions of a marine vehicle 205. In this way, the system 100 may measure the different amounts of translational forces certain regions of a marine vehicle 205 may experience so it may more accurately determine movement of a marine vehicle 205. For instance, at least one accelerometer 127 may be attached to the bow and another to the stern of a marine vehicle 205 so the different amounts of heave 230 experienced by the ends of the marine vehicle 205 may be measured. A marine vehicle 205 experiencing greater amounts of heave 230 in the bow than the stern may indicate that the marine vehicle 205 is being propelled quickly through the water by a motor operably connected to a propeller. Alternatively, the system 100 may average the translational motion experienced by a marine vehicle 205 so it may more accurately determine translational motion of a marine vehicle 205. For instance, at least one accelerometer 127 may be attached to the bow, center, and stern of a marine vehicle 205 so that the acceleration readings may be averaged by the system 100 to get more accurate readings concerning the translational forces experienced by the marine vehicle 205. Alternatively, the system 100 may take the median value of the surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230 as measured by multiple at least one accelerometers 127.

The at least one gyroscope 126 may be secured on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure the rotational motions experienced by a marine vehicle 205. In an embodiment, the rotational motions may be detected in the form of angular velocity. The axis about which angular velocity is detected is dependent on the type of gyroscope and the orientation of the at least one gyroscope 126. In an embodiment, the at least one gyroscope 126 may be positioned on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235. For instance, at least one gyroscope 126 that measures angular velocity in only one direction may be set about an axis of the marine vehicle 205 to determine the amount of roll 215 the marine vehicle 205 may experience. Roll 215 may be defined as the rotational force imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205 around the axis made from bow to stern (front to back). Pitch 225 may be defined as the rotational force imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205 around the axis made from port to starboard (side to side). Yaw 235 may be defined as the rotational force imparted by environmental conditions on a marine vehicle 205 around the vertical axis (up and down).

The at least one gyroscope 126 may be secured within a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that the at least one gyroscope 126 may measure the amount of roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235 that the marine vehicle 205 is experiencing. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, a single at least one gyroscope 126 may be secured to the center of the marine vehicle 205 to measure the angular velocity experienced by the marine vehicle 205 as a single unit. Alternatively, multiple at least one gyroscopes 126 may be secured to different regions of a marine vehicle 205. By measuring the roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235 at different points of a marine vehicle 205, the system 100 may average the rotational movement experienced by a marine vehicle 205 so it may more accurately determine rotational movement of a marine vehicle 205. For instance, at least one gyroscope 126 may be attached to the bow, center, and stern of a marine vehicle 205 so that the readings may be averaged by the system 100 to get more accurate readings concerning the rotational forces experienced by the marine vehicle 205. Alternatively, the system 100 may take the median value of the roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235 as measured by multiple at least one gyroscopes 126. Pitch 215, roll 225, and yaw 235 may be positive or negative. For instance, a positive pitch 215 may be defined as pitch 215 experienced by a marine vehicle 205 in a clockwise direction whereas negative pitch 210 may be defined as pitch 210 experienced by a marine vehicle 205 in a counter clockwise direction.

The at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be operably connected to the processor 116 in a way such that the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data may be transmitted from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 to the processor 116. The at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be operably connected to the processor 116 via a physical connection between the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 and the processor 116. Alternatively, the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be wirelessly connected to the processor 116. For instance, to physically connect the at least one accelerometer 127 to the processor 116, wiring suitable for transmitting signals may extend from the at least one accelerometer 127 to the processor 116. The at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be individually wired and operably connected to the processor 116 or a single wire may connect multiple at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 to the processor 116. In an embodiment, conduit may be used to protect the wiring. In an embodiment, signal processing circuitry may be used for operably connecting the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 to the processor 116. A wireless connection may be established via Bluetooth 121B or similar wireless technology configured to wirelessly connect two devices such that information or signals may be exchanged from one device to another.

The processor 116 is configured to perform the operations disclosed herein based on instructions stored within the system 100. The processor 116 may process instructions for execution within computing device 110, including instructions stored in memory or on storage device, to display graphical information for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external input/output device 135, such as a display. The processor 116 may provide for coordination of the other components of a computing device 110, such as control of user interfaces 111, applications run by a computing device 110, and wireless communication by a communication device 121 of the computing device 110. The processor 116 may be any processor or microprocessor suitable for executing instructions. In some embodiments, the processor 116 may have a memory device therein or coupled thereto suitable for storing the data, content, or other information or material disclosed herein. In some instances, the processor 116 may be a component of a larger computing device 110. A computing device 110 that may house the processor 116 therein may include, but are not limited to, laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, mainframes, cellular telephones, tablet computers, or any other similar device. Accordingly, the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, in full or in part, may be implemented or utilized in devices including, but are not limited to, laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, mainframes, cellular telephones, tablet computers, or any other similar device.

The instructions may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 that may be coupled to the processor 116, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the instructions may be stored or included within the processor 116. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable mediums may include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical discs; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), or flash memory. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations disclosed herein.

Upon execution of the appropriate instructions, the processor 116 may receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data transmitted by the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126, respectively. The forces detected by the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be representative of elevation 316, surge 210, sway 220, heave 230, roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235, depending on the type of accelerometer and gyroscope and the orientation of the at least one accelerometer 127 and at least one gyroscope 126 on the marine vehicle 205. The marine vehicle's 205 motion may be determined, at least in part, by the forces detected by the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 transmitted to the processor 116.

In an embodiment, a communication device 121 may be operably connected to the processor 116. A communication device 121 may be wired or wireless. A wireless communication device 121 may include, but is not limited to, Wi-Fi 121A, Bluetooth 121B, ZigBee 121C, cellular 121D, marine very high frequency (VHF) 121E, marine very low frequency (VLF), and satellite 121F, or any combination thereof. A wired communication device may include, but is not limited to, cable, fiber-optics, and telephone lines, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the system 100 may be configured in a way such that it may run locally without connecting to a wireless network. In situations where a wireless network is unavailable, the system 100 may continue to monitor a marine vehicle 205 and locally store the data on the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115. The system 100 may also alert a user 105 by sending a computer readable signal to a wired communication device, which may sound an alarm.

In an embodiment, an encasing 120 may provide an enclosure to protect the system 100. For instance, the encasing 120 may be rigid to protect the internal components of the system 100 from impacts. For instance, the encasing 120 may be semi-flexible encasing to protect the system 100 from impacts while allowing some flexibility. For instance, the encasing 120 may be a soft encasing made of a flexible material such as a rubber. In an embodiment, the encasing is weather proof so that the internal components of the system 100 may be protected from the environment 200, especially in regards to water.

Once barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data have been measured and transmitted to the processor 116, the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data may be combined to determine a normal state of motion for the marine vehicle 205. A normal state of motion 400 may be defined as the motion that a marine vehicle 205 normally experiences in its environment 200. In a preferred embodiment, the normal state of motion 400 may comprise of a range of motion in which a marine vehicle 205 normally experiences in its environment 200. For instance, one normal state of motion 400, as illustrated by 405 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of the motion of a marine vehicle 205 tied to a buoy in terms of surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230, whereas another normal state of motion 400, as illustrate by 410 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of a marine vehicle 205 tied to a buoy in terms of roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235. Yet another example of a normal state of motion 400, as illustrate by 415 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of a marine vehicle's 205 elevation 316 while in a boat slip at sea level. Thus, the system 100 may detect the barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity of a marine vehicle 205 in one or more directions and determine the normal state of motion 400 of the system 100 in terms of elevation 316, surge 210, sway 220, heave 230, roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235 so that it may be compared to a current state of motion 300.

The normal state of motion 400 may comprise acceleration data and angular velocity data in a single direction as well as acceleration data and angular velocity data in multiple directions. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in two directions may have a normal state of motion 400 comprising surge and heave data. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in three directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in the two directions may have a normal state of motion 400 comprising surge, sway, heave, roll, and yaw data. The normal state of motion 400 may also comprise fewer acceleration and angular velocity data points than may be measured by the at least one accelerometer 127 and at least one gyroscope 126. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in two directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in two directions may have a normal state of motion 400 comprising surge and yaw data. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in three directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in one direction may have a normal state of motion 400 comprising only surge data. As such, one with skill in the art will recognize that a normal state of motion 400 may comprise a number of different combinations of data without departing from the inventive subject matter as described herein.

The processor 116 may also calculate a current state of motion 300 as barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data are received from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126. A current state of motion 300 may be defined as the motion the marine vehicle 205 is experiencing in real time. For instance, one current state of motion 300, as illustrated by 305 in FIG. 3, may be indicative of the present motion of a marine vehicle 205 moving through the water in terms of surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230, whereas another current state of motion 300, as illustrate by 310 in FIG. 3, may be indicative of the present motion of a marine vehicle 205 moving through the water in terms of roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235. Yet another example of a current state of motion 300, as illustrate by 315 in FIG. 3, may be indicative of the present motion of a marine vehicle's 205 elevation 316 when being taken out of the water on a trailer. Thus, the system 100 may detect the barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity of a marine vehicle 205 in one or more directions and determine the current state of motion 300 of the system 100 so that it may be compared to the normal state of motion 400.

The current state of motion 300 may comprise acceleration data and angular velocity data in a single direction as well as a current state of motion 300 comprising acceleration data and angular velocity data in multiple directions. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in two directions may have a current state of motion 300 comprising surge and heave data. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in three directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in the two directions may have a current state of motion 300 comprising surge, sway, heave, roll, and yaw data. The current state of motion 300 may also comprise fewer acceleration and angular velocity data points than may be measured by the at least one accelerometer 127 and at least one gyroscope 126. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in two directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in two directions may have a current state of motion 300 comprising surge and yaw data. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one accelerometer 127 measuring acceleration in three directions and at least one gyroscope 126 measuring angular velocity in one direction may have a current state of motion 300 comprising only surge data. As such, one with skill in the art will recognize that a current state of motion 300 may comprise a number of different combinations of data without departing from the inventive subject matter as described herein.

Barometric pressure data may be measured and transmitted to the processor 116 so the barometric pressure data may be converted into an elevation 316 for use in a current state of motion 300 and normal state of motion 400. The system 100 may be configured to determine the difference between a slow barometric pressure change, which may be indicative of changes in weather, and a sharp barometric pressure change, which may be indicative of changes in elevation. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 stored on a trailer experiencing slow barometric pressure change when sitting in one place and having a normal state of motion 400 of zero elevation change may not register an elevation change. However, when that marine vehicle 205 moves over roads with varying degrees of elevation 316, the marine vehicle 205 may experience a sharp increase in the barometric pressure, causing the system 100 to register an elevation change. This in turn may cause the current state of motion 300 to be different than what the system 100 expected via the normal state of motion 400. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 stored on a boat lift will experience a change in barometric pressure as it is raised out of the water or lowered into the water. The marine vehicle's 205 normal state of motion 400 may be zero elevation change when sitting in the boat lift. However, when that marine vehicle 205 is lowered into the water, the marine vehicle 205 will experience a negative elevation change, meaning the current state of motion 300 may be different than what the system 100 expected via the normal state of motion 400. Accordingly, the at least one barometer 128 may determine the current state of motion 300 and compare that to the normal state of motion 400 to detect when there has been a changed state of motion experienced by a marine vehicle 205.

Once the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data are combined to create a current state of motion 300, the processor 116 may determine whether there has been a changed state of motion by comparing the current state of motion 300 to the normal state of motion 400. A changed state of motion may be defined as any deviation from the normal state of the motion 400 of the system 100 that may indicate that the marine vehicle 205 is being stolen or has been boarded without permission. In an embodiment, a sudden deviation from the normal state of motion 400 may cause the system 100 to determine that a changed state of motion has occurred. The system 100 may determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred continuously or intermittently. For instance, a processor 116 continuously receiving data from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may continuously calculate a current state of motion 300 and compare that to a normal state of motion 400 of the marine vehicle 205 to continuously determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred. For instance, a processor 116 receiving data from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 every two seconds may calculate a current state of motion 300 and compare that to a normal state of motion 400 of the marine vehicle 205 as often as the processor 116 receives the data to intermittently determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred.

When the processor 116 determines that a changed state of motion has occurred, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal. A computer-readable signal may be any signal that may cause an action in response to a changed state of motion. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may cause a camera 129 to transmit video data to a computing device 110 operably connected to the processor 116 in order to collect video data to determine what caused the changed state of motion. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may cause a light source operably connected to the processor 116 to continuously flash on an off to warn of an intrusion. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may cause an audio device 123 operably connected to the processor 116 to emit a loud noise to warn of an intrusion. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may cause a wireless communication device 121 to send a message to a computing device 110, stipulating that the marine vehicle 205 has experience a changed state of motion. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may cause a wireless communication device 121 to send a message to a computing device 110, said message containing geospatial data detailing the geolocation of the marine vehicle 205. For instance, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal that may send a kill signal to the motor in a way such that it deactivates the motor. Only a user 105 having the appropriate permissions may reactivate the motor. In this way, the system 100 may prevent an unwanted changed state of motion when a user 105 is not present.

In an embodiment, a plurality of normal states of motion 146 may be stored within the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 of the system 100 in a way such that a user 105 may choose the normal state of motion 400 for marine vehicle 205, wherein each normal state of motion 400 of the plurality of normal states of motion 146 may be indicative of forces a marine vehicle 205 may experience in an environment 200, such as the example normal state of motion 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 may store normal states of motion 400 comprising acceleration data and angular velocity data in a single direction as well as normal states of motion 400 comprising acceleration data and angular velocity data in multiple directions. For instance, one normal state of motion 400, as illustrate by 405 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of motion in terms of surge 210, sway 220, and heave 230, whereas another normal state of motion 400, as illustrated by 410 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of motion in terms of roll 215, pitch 225, and yaw 235.

Yet another example of a normal state of motion 400, as illustrate by 415 in FIG. 4, may be indicative of the normal state of motion 400 of a marine vehicle's 205 elevation change when removed from the water. In an embodiment, the system 100 may be configured to warn a user 105 when the marine vehicle 205 has been removed from the water. For instance, the normal state of motion 400 may be set as “in water,” so when the system 100 determines that the marine vehicle 205 has been removed from the water, it alerts the user 105 by sending the user a text message. In another embodiment, the system 100 may create a custom normal state of motion 400 based on data received by the processor 116 from the at least one barometer 128, at least one gyroscope 126, and at least one accelerometer 127 and store it on said non-transitory computer-readable medium 115. In this way, a user 105 may create a custom normal state of motion 400 for the system 100 of a particular environment 200.

Alternatively, the system 100 may store the plurality of normal states of motion 146 in a database 145 operably connected to the processor 116. The database 145 may be a relational database such that the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data associated with each normal state of motion within the plurality of normal states of motion 146 may be stored, at least in part, in one or more tables. Alternatively, the database 145 may be an object database such that the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data associated with each normal state of motion 400 within the plurality of normal states of motion 146 may be stored, at least in part, as objects. In some instances, the database 145 may comprise a relational and/or object database and a server 140 dedicated solely to managing the content assigned to normal states of motion in the manner disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the server 140 may be operably connected to the processor 116 and the database 145 in a way such that the server 140 may receive the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, angular velocity data, and environmental data from the processor 116 and subsequently transfer the acceleration data, angular velocity data, and environmental data to the database 145.

In an embodiment, a server 140 may be a search server, a document indexing server, and general web server. Servers 140 may be separate entities performing different functions or similar functions. For instance, two or more servers 140 may be implemented to work as a single server 140 performing the same tasks. Alternatively, one server 140 may perform the functions of multiple servers 140. For instance, a single server 140 may perform the tasks of a web server and an indexing server. Although represented as a single server 140 in FIG. 1, it is understood that multiple servers 140 may be used to operably connect the processor 116 to the database 145 and/or the content repositories. The processor 116 may be operably connected to the server 140 via wired or wireless connection.

Search servers may include one or more computing devices 110 designed to implement a search engine, such as a documents/records search engine, general webpage search engine, etc. Search servers may, for example, may include one or more web servers to receive search queries and/or inputs from users 105, search one or more databases 145 in response to the search queries and/or inputs, and provide documents or information, relevant to the search queries and/or inputs, to users 105. In some implementations, search servers may include a web search server that may provide webpages to users 105, where a provided webpage may include a reference to a web server at which the desired information and/or links is located. The references, to the web server at which the desired information is located, may be included in a frame and/or text box, or as a link to the desired information/document.

Document indexing servers may include one or more computing devices 110 designed to index documents available through networks. Document indexing servers may access other servers 140, such as web servers that host content, to index the content. In some implementations, document indexing servers may index documents/records stored by other servers 140 connected to the network. Document indexing servers may, for example, store and index content, information, and documents relating to user 105 accounts and user-generated content. Web servers may include servers 140 that provide webpages to clients. For instance, the webpages may be HTML-based webpages. A web server may host one or more websites. A website, as the term is used herein, may refer to a collection of related webpages. Frequently, a website may be associated with a single domain name, although some websites may potentially encompass more than one domain name. The concepts described herein may be applied on a per-website basis. Alternatively, in some implementations, the concepts described herein may be applied on a per-webpage basis.

In an embodiment, at least one input/output connector 122 may be operably connected to the processor 116. The input/output device connector may be housed within an encasing. In an embodiment, an input/output device 135 may be operably connected to the processor 116 via the at least one input/output connector 122. In another embodiment, the processor 116 may be wirelessly connected to the input/output device 135 via Bluetooth 121B or similar wireless technology configured to wirelessly connect two devices in a way such that information or signals may be exchanged from one device to another. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 may contain a plurality of input/output device functions that may be selected by a user 105, wherein each input/output device function within the plurality of input/output device functions may contain input/output device instructions, which, when executed by the processor 116, may cause the input/output device 135 to perform an action. For instance, an input/output device function may contain instructions that cause a light source to turn on and off repeatedly. For instance, an input/output device function may contain instructions that cause an audio device to emit a loud noise. An input/output device 135 may include, but is not limited to, a camera 129, audio device 123, light source, display, and kill switch, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the input/output device 135 may be operably connected to the processor 116 via a physical connection, such as through a National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) device.

In another embodiment, at least one sensor 125 may be secured on a marine vehicle 205 in a way such that it may measure environmental conditions of the marine vehicle 205 and transmit environmental data to the processor 116. An environmental condition may be defined as external conditions experienced by a marine vehicle 205. Types of sensors that may be used as an at least one sensor 125 include, but are not limited to, a microphone 124, turbidity sensor 125A, thermometer 125B, humidity sensor 125C, passive infrared sensor 125D, light sensor 125E, lightning sensor 125F, vibration sensor 125G, electronics sensor 125H, engine monitor 125I, microwave sensor 125J, radar 125K, wind transducer 125L, compass 125M, depth transducer 125N, speed transducer 125O, global positioning system (GPS) 125P, at least one gyroscope 126, at least one accelerometer 127, at least one barometer 128, and camera 129, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the at least one sensor may comprise of an ultrasonic sensor and area reflective sensor. Therefore, the at least one sensor 125 may measure a variety of types of environmental data and transmit that data to the processor 116. Once the processor 116 has received the environmental data, the processor 116 may determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred. Once environmental data has been measured and transmitted to the processor 116, the environmental data may be combined to determine a normal environmental state for the marine vehicle 205.

In another embodiment, the system 100 may comprise an indoor positioning system (IPS). An IPS may locate peripheral devices 180 using radio waves, magnetic fields, acoustic signals, or other sensory information. In an embodiment, the IPS may use trilateration and triangulation methods to determine if a peripheral device 180 is located on the marine vehicle 205. An IPS may determine a peripheral device's 180 position using, but not limited to, anchor nodes, magnetic positioning, and dead reckoning, or any combination thereof. Anchor nodes are devices with known positions. In an embodiment, a wireless communication device 121, such as a Wi-Fi access point or Bluetooth beacon, may act as an anchor node. In another embodiment, an at least one sensor 125 may act as an anchor node. A peripheral device 180 may be connected to the IPS in a way such that the system 100 may monitor the location of the peripheral device 180. If the IPS determines that the peripheral device 180 has been removed from the marine vehicle 205, the system 100 may trigger an alarm. For instance, a cooler having a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may be placed on a marine vehicle having a system 100 with an IPS. The IPS of the system 100 may monitor the RFID tag of the cooler in order to determine whether the cooler is on the marine vehicle 205. If the system 100 determines that the cooler has been removed from the marine vehicle 205, the system 100 may trigger an alarm. In an embodiment, a user 105 may add or remove peripheral devices 180 from the IPS of the system 100.

In an embodiment, the system 100 may capture identifying addresses from an attached peripheral device 180. An identifying address may be, but is not limited to, basic service set identifier (BSSID), extended service set identifier (ESSID), service set identifier (SSID), and media access control (MAC) address, or any combination thereof. For instance, the system 100 may capture a MAC address of a computing device 110 wirelessly connected via Bluetooth. The system may capture identifying addresses by actively scanning or passively scanning for computing devices 110 capable of wirelessly connecting to the system 100. During passive scanning, the system 100 may attempt to locate computing devices 110 broadcasting requests to connect to the system 100 by scanning a plurality of channels for requests. In an embodiment, the system 100 may do this by transmitting a beacon frame to help synchronize computing devices 110 over a network, which may be done intermittently or continuously. For instance, the system 100 may intermittently passively scan a plurality of channels for computing devices 110 attempting to connect to the system 100 wirelessly once every thirty seconds. During active scanning, the system 100 may attempt to locate and identify computing devices 110 broadcasting requests to connect to the system 100 over a fixed channel. For instance, the system 100 may attempt to identify a computing device 110 that has sent a request to connect to the system 100 via Bluetooth. The captured identifying address may be stored in the computer readable medium 115. Alternatively, the captured identifying address may be stored in a database 145 operably connected to the system 100. In an embodiment, the captured identifying address is coupled to the time in which the captured identifying address was captured. In another preferred embodiment, the captured identifying address is removed from the system 100 after a specified period of time. For instance, the captured identifying address is removed from the computer readable medium 115 seven days after capture.

A normal environmental state may be defined as the motion that a marine vehicle 205 normally experiences in its environment 200. In a preferred embodiment, the normal environmental state may comprise of a range of environmental conditions in which a marine vehicle 205 normally experiences in its environment 200. For instance, the at least one sensor 125 of a system 100 may comprise of a GPS 125P, which may measure and transmit geospatial data relevant for determining geolocation. Once the processor 116 receives the geospatial data from the GPS 125P, the processor 116 may create a normal environmental state comprising of geospatial data. Geospatial data may be spatial data including, but not limited to, numeric data, vector data, and raster data, or any combination thereof. Numeric data may be statistical data which includes a geographical component or field that can be joined with vector files so the data may be queried and displayed as a layer on a map in a geographic information system (GIS). Vector data may be data that has a spatial component, or X, Y coordinates assigned to it. Vector data may contain sets of points, lines, or polygons that are referenced in a geographic space. Raster data may be data in a .JPG, .TIF, .GIF or other picture file format. For instance, a map scanned in a flatbed scanner may be considered raster data.

In another embodiment, the at least one sensor 125 may comprise a vibration sensor 125G and light sensor 125E. The vibration sensor 125G may transmit vibration data to the processor 116, and the light sensor 125E may transmit ambient light data to the processor 116. The processor 116 may then create a normal environmental state comprising of vibration data and ambient light data. The normal environmental state may also comprise fewer environmental data points than may be measured by the at least one sensors 125. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having an electronics sensor 125H, thermometer 125B, and humidity sensor 125C measuring electrical activity, temperature, and relative humidity may have a normal state comprising of temperature and relative humidity. As such, one with skill in the art will recognize that a normal environmental state may comprise a number of different combinations of data without departing from the inventive subject matter as described herein.

Alternatively, the system 100 may receive data from at least one sensor 125 connected to a NMEA device. At least one sensors 125 that may be connected to a NMEA device may include, but are not limited to, a microphone 124, turbidity sensor 125A, thermometer 125B, humidity sensor 125C, passive infrared sensor 125D, light sensor 125E, lightning sensor 125F, vibration sensor 125G, electronics sensor 125H, engine monitor 125I, microwave sensor 125J, radar 125K, wind transducer 125L, compass 125M, depth transducer 125N, speed transducer 125O, GPS 125P, at least one gyroscope 126, at least one accelerometer 127, at least one barometer 128, and camera 129, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, an ultrasonic sensor and area reflective sensor may attach to the NMEA device as well. The processor 116 may be operably connected to the NMEA device in a way such that information may be transmitted to the processor 116 from the at least one sensors 125 connected to the NMEA device. The processor 116 may then use this information when assessing the normal environmental state and current environmental state of a system 100. For instance, a system 100 operably connected to a NMEA device with a depth transducer 125N may transmit depth data that the processor 116 may use to create a normal environmental state or a current environmental state for the system 100. For instance, a system 100 operably connected to a NMEA device with an engine monitor 125I may transmit engine data that the processor 116 may use to create a normal environmental state or a current environmental state for the system 100. For instance, a system 100 operably connected to a NMEA device with a speed transducer 125O may transmit velocity data that the processor 116 may use to create a normal environmental state or a current environmental state for the system 100.

In an embodiment, a plurality of normal environmental states 147 may be stored within the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 of the system 100 in a way such that a user 105 may choose the normal environmental state for the marine vehicle 205, wherein each normal environmental state of the plurality of normal environmental states 147 may be indicative of environmental conditions of a marine vehicle 205. Alternatively, the system 100 may store the plurality of normal environmental states 147 within a database 145. In an embodiment, the system 100 may create a custom normal environmental state based on data received by the processor 116 from the at least one sensor 125 and store it on said non-transitory computer-readable medium 115. For instance, if the system 100 received geospatial data and vibration data from at least one sensor 125, the normal environmental state may comprise geospatial data indicating a particular geolocation and vibration data indicative of minimal impacts with the marine vehicle 205 floorboard. In this way, a user 105 may create a custom normal environmental state for the system 100 of a particular environment.

Alternatively, the system 100 may store the plurality of normal environmental states 147 in a database 145 operably connected to the processor 116. The database 145 may be a relational database such that the environmental data associated with each normal environmental state within the plurality of normal environmental states 147 may be stored, at least in part, in one or more tables. Alternatively, the database 145 may be an object database such that the environmental data associated with each normal environmental state within the plurality of normal environmental states 147 may be stored, at least in part, as objects. In some instances, the database 145 may comprise a relational and/or object database and a server 140 dedicated solely to managing the content assigned to normal environmental states in the manner disclosed herein.

The processor 116 may also calculate a current environmental state as environmental data is received from the at least one sensor 125. A current environmental state may be defined as the environmental conditions the marine vehicle 205 is experiencing in real time. For instance, one current environmental state may be indicative of the present environmental conditions of a marine vehicle 205 sitting in a boat slip in terms of GPS 125P, electrical activity, and vibration, whereas another current environmental state may be indicative of the present environmental conditions of a marine vehicle 205 moving through the water in terms of noise, vibrations, and ambient light. Yet another example of a current environmental state may be indicative of the environmental conditions of a marine vehicle 205 in terms of wind speed. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 sitting in a dry storage warehouse may have a wind speed of zero, while a marine vehicle 205 being transported on an interstate via a trailer may have a wind speed higher than zero. Thus, the system 100 may detect the environmental conditions of a marine vehicle 205 and determine the current environmental state of the system 100 so that it may be compared to the normal environmental state. Additionally, the current environmental state may comprise fewer environmental data points than may be measured by the at least one sensor 125. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 having at least one sensor 125 measuring temperature, humidity, and wind speed may have a current environmental state comprising wind speed and temperature data. As such, one with skill in the art will recognize that a current environmental state may comprise a number of different combinations of data without departing from the inventive subject matter as described herein.

Once the environmental data is combined to create a current environmental state, the processor 116 may determine whether there has been a changed environmental state by comparing the current environmental state to the normal environmental state. For instance, a processor 116 receiving geospatial data from a GPS 125P may analyze that data to determine if the geospatial data differs from what the system 100 expected. A changed environmental state may be defined as any deviation from the normal environmental state of the system 100 that may indicate that the marine vehicle 205 is being stolen or has been boarded without permission. In an embodiment, a sudden deviation from the normal environmental state may cause the system 100 to determine that a changed environmental state has occurred. The system 100 may determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred continuously or intermittently. For instance, a processor 116 continuously receiving environmental data from the at least one sensor 125 may continuously calculate a current environmental state and compare that to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle 205 to continuously determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred. For instance, a processor 116 receiving data from the at least one sensor 125 every two seconds may calculate a current environmental state and compare that to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle 205 as often as the processor 116 receives the environmental data to intermittently determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred. When the processor 116 determines that a changed environmental state has occurred, the processor 116 may transmit a computer-readable signal.

In an embodiment, the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 may be used in conjunction with a time measuring device to measure wave characteristics experienced by a marine vehicle 205 to determine a normal environmental state. For instance, the system 100 of a marine vehicle 205 having at least one barometer 128 coupled to a time measuring device may be used to measure the height, amplitude, period, and frequency of a wave. By measuring the barometric pressure experienced by a marine vehicle 205 at the crest of a wave and the trough of a wave, the system 100 may determine the height of a wave by taking the difference between the barometric pressure at the crest and the barometric pressure at the trough and converting the difference into an elevation 316 as described above. The amplitude of a wave may be calculated by dividing the height by two. By measuring the time it takes a marine vehicle 205 to reach equivalent points on back to back waves, the system 100 may measure the period of a wave. In an embodiment, period may be measured from crest to crest or trough to trough of each wave. The frequency may then be determined by taking the inverse of the period. Alternatively, the system 100 may calculate the frequency by averaging the periods of a number of waves over a specified time period.

Using wave equations in addition to the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data may allow the system 100 to determine the normal environmental state of a marine vehicle 205 in terms of wave motion. For instance, the system 100 may determine whether a marine vehicle 205 is experiencing deep water waves, intermediate water waves, or shallow water waves. The system 100 may then use this environmental data to determine the normal environmental state of a marine vehicle 205. Once the system 100 has determined the normal environmental state in terms of wave characteristics, the system 100 may continue to receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data to determine the current environmental state of the marine vehicle 205. Variations in the current environmental state from the normal environmental state may cause the system 100 to determine that there has been a changed environmental state and cause the processor 116 to transmit a computer-readable signal. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 kept in shallow water may not experience any deep water waves and may have a normal environmental state of zero deep water waves. A marine vehicle 205 that has been moved from its shallow water location to a deep water location may experience deep water waves, which may be detected by the system 100 and cause the system 100 to recognize that the current environmental state differs from the normal environmental state. The system 100 may then send a computer-readable signal to alert a user 105 due to this changed environmental state.

In an embodiment, the computing device 110 may comprise a user interface 111. A user 105 may choose the normal state of motion 400 and normal environmental state using the user interface 111. For instance, a marine vehicle 205 comprising a vibration sensor monitoring floor vibrations and a microwave sensor monitoring windows and doors may have a normal environmental state comprising vibration data and motion data. If the user 105 is planning on sleeping on the marine vehicle 205, it may be undesirable for the system 100 to detect vibration data because the user 105 may cause the system 100 to transmit a computer-readable signal to trigger an alarm due to a changed environmental state simply by walking. A user 105 may interact with the user interface 111 in a way such that a normal environmental state comprising only motion data is chosen for the system 100. When the user 105 is not planning on sleeping on the marine vehicle 205, the user 105 may interact with the user interface 111 in a way such that a normal environmental state comprising vibration data and motion data is chosen for the system 100. Alternatively, the user 105 may interact with the user interface 111 in a way such that the system 100 is deactivated. In this way, the user 105 may control what the system 100 may monitor.

As mentioned previously, the system 100 may comprise a power supply 130. The power supply 130 may be any source of power that provides the system 100 with electricity. In an embodiment, the power supply 130 may be a twelve-volt power supply. In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the system 100 may connect to a bus, such as a National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) device, which may act as the system's 100 power supply 130. In an embodiment, the bus is a NMEA 2000. Additionally, the system 100 may comprise of multiple power supplies 130 that may provide power to the system 100 in different circumstances. For instance, the system 100 may be directly plugged into a stationary power outlet at a dock, which may provide continuous power to the system 100, and a NMEA device, which may provide power the system 100 away from the dock via the engine.

The system 100 may also be connected to a backup battery 131 so that the system 100 may receive power even when it is not connected to a continuous power source. In this way, the system 100 may always have a power source so that it may monitor the motion and environment 200 of a marine vehicle 205 regardless of location. In another embodiment, the system 100 may operate in a low power mode by using at least one microcontroller. The at least one microcontroller may connect various sensors of the system 100 to the processor 116 in a way such that the processor 116 may only receive a signal when the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, at least one gyroscope 126, or at least one sensor 125 detects a change. For instance, a microcontroller operably connecting an at least one accelerometer 127 to the processor 116 may allow the processor 116 to receive a signal from the at least one accelerometer 127 when the microcontroller determines that an acceleration has occurred.

FIG. 5 provides a flow chart 500 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method for determining whether a changed environmental state has occurred. Step 505 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 507, the system 100 may determine the normal environmental state. In an embodiment, the system 100 may determine the normal environmental state by receiving environmental data over a specified period of time from an at least one sensor 125 and then performing a hysteresis analysis on the data. In another embodiment, the system 100 may take the mean values of the environmental data points received from the at least one sensor 125 to determine the normal environmental state of the system 100. Alternatively, a user 105 may select a normal environmental state for the system 100 from a plurality of normal environmental states 147 stored within the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 or a database 145 operably connected to the processor 116. Once the system 100 has determined a normal environmental state, the processor 116 may receive environmental data from an at least sensor during step 510 so that the system 100 may monitor the environmental conditions of the marine vehicle 205.

In step 515, the processor 116 may determine the current environmental state by combining the environmental data received from the at least one sensor 125. The current environmental state may comprise of all data points received by the processor 116 or fewer data points. After the processor 116 determines the current environmental state of the system 100, the processor 116 may determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred during step 520. This may be done by comparing the current environmental state to the normal environmental state of the system 100. If the processor 116 determines that the current environmental state does not differ from the normal environmental state enough to make a changed environmental state, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 530. If the processor 116 determines that a changed environmental state has occurred, the method may proceed to step 525. During step 525, the processor 116 may cause the system 100 to transmit a computer-readable signal due to the system 100 detecting a changed environmental state indicative of a theft or unpermitted entry on a marine vehicle 205. Once the computer-readable signal has been transmitted, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 530.

FIG. 6 provides a flow chart 600 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method for determining whether a changed state of motion has occurred. Step 605 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 607, the system 100 may determine the normal state of motion 400. In an embodiment, the system 100 may determine the normal state of motion 400 by receiving barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data received over a specified period of time from an at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 and then performing a hysteresis analysis on the data. In another embodiment, the system 100 may take the mean values of the barometric pressure, acceleration, and angular velocity data points received from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 to determine the normal state of motion 400 of the system 100. Alternatively, a user 105 may select a normal state of motion 400 for the system 100 from a plurality of normal states of motion 146 stored within the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 or a database 145 operably connected to the processor 116. Once the system 100 has determined a normal state of motion 400, the processor 116 may receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data from an at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 during steps 610, 613, and 615, respectively, so that the system 100 may monitor the motion of the marine vehicle 205.

In step 620, the processor 116 may determine the current state of motion 300 by combining the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data received from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126. The current state of motion 300 may comprise of all data points received by the processor 116 or fewer data points. After the processor 116 determines the current state of motion 300 of the system 100, the processor 116 may determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred during step 625. This may be done by comparing the current state of motion 300 to the normal state of motion 400 of the system 100. If the processor 116 determines that the current state of motion 300 does not differ from the normal state of motion 400 enough to make a changed state of motion, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 635. If the processor 116 determines that a changed state of motion has occurred, the method may proceed to step 630. During step 630, the processor 116 may cause the system 100 to transmit a computer-readable signal due to the system 100 detecting a changed state of motion indicative of a theft or unpermitted entry on a marine vehicle 205. Once the computer-readable signal has been transmitted, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 635.

FIG. 7 provides a flow chart 700 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method for triggering an alarm. Step 705 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 707, the system 100 may determine the normal state of motion 400 and normal environmental state. In an embodiment, the system 100 may determine the normal state of motion 400 by receiving barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data over a specified period of time from an at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126 and then performing a hysteresis analysis on the data. In an embodiment, the system 100 may determine the normal environmental state by receiving environmental data over a specified period of time from an at least one sensor 125 and then performing a hysteresis analysis on the data. In another embodiment, the system 100 may take the mean values of the barometric pressure, acceleration, angular velocity, and environmental data points received from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, at least one gyroscope 126, and at least one sensor 125 to determine the normal state of motion 400 and normal environmental state of the system 100. Alternatively, a user 105 may select a normal state of motion 400 and normal environmental state for the system 100 from a plurality of normal states of motion 146 and a plurality of normal environmental states 147 stored within the non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 or a database 145 operably connected to the processor 116.

Once the system 100 has determined a normal state of motion 400, the processor 116 may check to determine if the system 100 is activated during step 710. If the processor 116 determines that the system 100 is not activated, the system 100 may proceed to the terminate method step 750. If the processor 116 determines that the system 100 is activated, the method may proceed to step 715. During step 715, the processor 116 may check for the presence of a user 105. If the system 100 determines that a user 105 is present, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 750. If the processor 116 determines that the user 105 is not present, the method may proceed to step 720. In an embodiment, the system 100 may wirelessly communicate with a computing device 110 of the user 105 to determine if a user 105 is present. For instance, the computing device 110 of the user 105 may cause the system 100 to deactivate when the user 105 is within a specified range of the marine vehicle 205, such as Bluetooth 121B range. Alternatively, a user 105 may disable this feature so that the system may be active while the user 105 is present.

The processor 116 may receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127 and at least one gyroscope 126, respectively, in step 720 to continue monitoring the motion of a marine vehicle 205. The processor 116 may then combine the barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data to create a current state of motion 300. Once a current state of motion 300 has been created, the processor 116 may determine whether a changed state of motion has occurred by comparing the current state of motion 300 the normal state of motion 400 of the system 100 during step 725. If the processor 116 determines that a changed state of motion has not occurred, the method may proceed to step 730 and repeat step 715. If the processor 116 determines that a changed state of motion has occurred, the method may proceed to the trigger computer-readable signal step 745. During step 745, the system 100 may transmit a computer-readable signal signifying a changed state of motion has been detected by the system 100 indicative of a theft or unpermitted entry on a marine vehicle 205. Once the alarm has been triggered, step 750 terminates the method.

The processor 116 may check to determine whether at least one sensor 125 is operably connected to the processor 116 in a way such that environmental data may be received by the processor 116 during step 730. If the processor 116 determines that no at least one sensor 125 is operably connected to the processor 116, the method may proceed to the terminate environmental conditions detection step 732 so that the system 100 will no longer check for environmental conditions. If the processor 116 determines that at least one sensor 125 is operably connected to the processor 116, the method may proceed to step 735. During step 735, the processor 116 may receive environmental data from the at least one sensor 125 as the at least one sensor 125 monitors environmental conditions of the marine vehicle 205. The processor 116 may then combine the environmental data to create a current environmental state. Once a current environmental state has been created, the processor 116 may determine whether a changed environmental state has occurred by comparing the current environmental state to the normal environmental state of the system 100 during step 740. If the processor 116 determines that a changed environmental state has not occurred, the method may repeat step 735 until the system 100 is deactivated, the system 100 determines a user 105 is present, or an alarm is triggered via another step, thus terminating the method. If the processor 116 determines that a changed environmental state has occurred, the method may proceed to step 745, in which the system 100 may transmit a computer-readable signal signifying a changed environmental state indicative of a theft or unpermitted entry on a marine vehicle 205. After the alarm has been triggered, step 750 terminates the method.

FIG. 8 provides a flow chart 800 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method for creating a normal environmental state using wave characteristics. Step 805 indicates the beginning of the method. During steps 810, 811, and 812, the processor 116 may receive barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data from the at least one barometer 128, at least one accelerometer 127, and at least one gyroscope 126, respectively. The processor 116 may also receive time data from a time measuring device during step 813, wherein said time data is coupled to said barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data. The processor 116 may then transform the time data, barometric pressure data, acceleration data, and angular velocity data into wave characteristics, including, but not limited to, height, acceleration, velocity, amplitude, frequency, and wavelength in step 815. In one embodiment, the processor 116 may further receive depth data from a depth transducer 125N to calculate the wave characteristics. Once the processor 116 has calculated wave characteristics, the processor 116 may use the wave characteristics and wave equations to determine the normal environmental state of the marine vehicle 205. In an embodiment, two-dimensional wave equations may be used to determine the normal environmental state; however, one-dimensional and three-dimensional wave equations may be used to determine the normal environmental state without departing from the inventive subject matter as described herein. In yet another embodiment, the system 100 may determine the normal environmental state of the system 100 in terms of the amount of shallow water waves, intermediate water waves, and deep water waves a marine vehicle 205 is expected to experience over a given time period. Once the normal environmental state has been determined by the processor 116, the system 100 may save the normal environmental state within a non-transitory computer-readable medium 115 or database 145 in step 820 before proceeding the terminate method step 825.

The subject matter described herein may be embodied in systems, apparati, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. In particular, various implementations of the subject matter described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that may be executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, and at least one input/output device.

These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, may include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly machine language. As used herein, the term “computer readable medium” refers to any computer program, product, apparatus, and/or device, such as magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a non-transitory computer readable medium that receives machine instructions as a computer-readable signal. The term “computer-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. To provide for interaction with a user 105, the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRD), liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting display (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user 105 and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, by which the user 105 may provide input to the computer. Displays may include, but are not limited to, visual, auditory, cutaneous, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory displays, or any combination thereof.

Other kinds of devices may be used to facilitate interaction with a user 105 as well. For example, feedback provided to the user 105 may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user 105 may be received in any form including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, such as an application server, or that includes a front-end component, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user 105 may interact with the system 100 described herein, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system 100 may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks may include, but are not limited to, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), metropolitan area networks (“MAN”), and the internet.

The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining activity on and around a marine vehicle, the system comprising: a processor, a server operably connected to said processor, wherein said server contains information pertaining to a marine vehicle of a user, wherein environmental data concerning a marine environment on a marine vehicle is stored within said server, a computing device having a user interface and operably connected to said server, wherein said user interface is configured to allow said user to select a normal environmental state created using said environmental data, wherein said normal environmental state represents environmental conditions normally experienced by said marine vehicle in a particular environment, wherein said user uses said user interface to check a status of said marine vehicle by accessing said information, wherein said user interface alerts said user when said marine environment deviates from said normal environmental state, at least one sensor operably connected to said processor, wherein said at least one sensor collects said environmental data concerning said marine environment on said marine vehicle, a bus optimized to operate within said marine environment on said marine vehicle, wherein said bus is in communication with said server via a network, wherein said bus is configured to transmit said environmental data to said server so said environmental data is saved within said server, and an input/output device operably connected to said processor via said bus, wherein said processor causes said input/output device to perform an action based on commands entered within said user interface by said user, wherein said processor causes said input/output device to perform said action when said marine environment deviates from said normal environmental state.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one of a microphone, turbidity sensor, thermometer, humidity sensor, passive infrared sensor, light sensor, lightning sensor, vibration sensor, ultrasonic sensor, electronics sensor, engine monitor, microwave sensor, radar, wind transducer, compass, depth transducer, speed transducer, area reflective sensor, global positioning system, and camera.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an indoor positioning system, wherein said indoor positioning system is configured to detect a peripheral device located on said marine vehicle, and wherein removal of said peripheral device from said marine vehicle will cause said processor to output a computer-readable signal.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface is configured to allow a user to set an environmental state for said marine vehicle.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface is configured to alert a user when said marine vehicle enters a location.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface is configured to alert a user when said marine vehicle leaves a location.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor tracks a location of said marine vehicle, wherein said user interface of said computing device is configured to alert a user when a changed environmental state occurs.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor performs a query to determine a changed environmental state based off of environmental data received from said at least one sensor.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said processor sends an alert to a user via said computing device when said processor determines that said changed environmental state has occurred.
 10. A method for monitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel comprising: monitoring, using a bus optimized to operate within a marine environment on a marine vehicle of a user, at least one sensor associated with said marine vehicle, communicating environmental data received from said at least one sensor from said bus to a server containing information pertaining to said marine vehicle, wherein said environmental data pertains to a marine environment on said marine vehicle, wherein said environmental data is stored within said server, analyzing said environmental data at said server, transmitting said environmental data from said server to a computing device of said user, wherein said computing device comprises a user interface configured to associate with said marine vehicle using said information pertaining to said marine vehicle, wherein said user interface is further configured to allow said user to select a normal environmental state created using said environmental data, wherein said normal environmental state represents environmental conditions normally experienced by said marine vehicle in a particular environment, wherein said user interface allows said user to check a status of said marine vehicle when said user interface is associated with said marine vehicle, wherein said user interface alerts said user when said environmental data deviates from said normal environmental state when said user interface is associated with said marine vehicle, and causing an input/output device operably connected to a processor via said bus to perform an action when said environmental data deviates from said normal environmental state.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said user interface notifies said user when said environmental data, including information regarding at least one of temperature, humidity, water turbidity, lightning strikes, wind speed, electronics activity, engine statistics, marine vehicle location, and security statistics, deviates from said normal environmental state, wherein said server transmits a computer-readable signal to said computing device that causes said user interface to notify said user that said environmental data has deviated from said normal environmental state.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said bus is a National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) bus. 